January after January, many people have this one item on the list of New Year’s resolutions. It is often underlined or capitalized as “Start Working Out” but only a handful stay the course, and very few make it to the end of the year. Still, some struggle through and manage to get used to their workout routines. If the latter sounds anything like you, congratulations you are in order! You are committed to one of the best decisions in your life.
Nonetheless, adopting an active lifestyle is never a walk in the park. It requires dedication, in and out of the gym or your workout station. To get the most out of your exercise regimen, you will have to adopt healthy and meaningful lifestyle habits that benefit your exercise efforts. You will also need to quit some stuff. With this having been said, here are some incredibly necessary lifestyle changes you can make for a more fruitful exercise routine.
1. Rethink the Apps You Have On Your Phone
There are thousands if not millions of mobile apps out there that you can download on your phone. You can even develop your own without any app developer skills. However, it is essential to only keep apps that improve your life in one way or another.
While some people spend numerous hours on social and streaming apps, it could be time to rethink your phone’s usage and start spending more time on fitness apps instead. There are a few nutritional and workout apps out there that can help you achieve your health and fitness goals.
A good app will have a personalized training and diet plan that will help you achieve your goals faster. You can look at it as an AI coach as well as a monitoring tool that helps you keep track of your progress and suggests adjustments in your routine. This can be an incredible life change to improve the effectiveness of your workouts.
2. Avoid Processed Foods
We are all guilty of having tight schedules and engaging in fast foods. Perhaps you want to munch on something real quick so you can catch the next bus or be on time for a meeting. Choco cakes, cheesy poofs, and burgers save the day, but one thing is for sure. They can all be deleterious to your workout progress.
If you plan on staying fit and healthy, you will need to ditch processed foods. Clear them off of your pantry and avoid stocking any in your fridge. This helps avoid cravings and temptations that may strike some people from time to time.
3. Proteins for Breakfast
Here’s another dietary change you can make. We have been told over and over again that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. In this case, make sure that your plate is filled with amino-acid-rich cereals, milk, and some healthy fats. You can also pair it with some fresh fruit juice for that fine dose of vitamin. This will help keep your body energetic enough to face whatever is thrown your way.
A protein-rich breakfast also ensures your body gets enough proteins for growth and repair, thus benefiting your exercise efforts from the previous day. A protein-rich breakfast will also keep you satiated, so you won’t be snacking unnecessarily throughout the day.
4. Get Enough Sleep and Rest
To function optimally, your body needs enough rest and sleep. Furthermore, a lot of repair and growth in our cells and tissues happens during rest, especially after exercise. Get enough quality sleep every night and ensure your exercise schedule includes a few rest days. This way, your muscles will get enough time to recover and get ready for your next intense session.
On this note, this would mean identifying and ditching stuff that could be deterring you from getting quality rest and sleep. In this case, some lifestyle changes to make could include:
- Avoid staying up late at night
- Cut back on watching too much TV
- Limit your intake of coffee
- Refrain from the obsessive use of tech gadgets
- Limit your alcohol intake
- Quit smoking
5. Get a Workout Partner
To become better at anything, you may need some motivation. A workout partner is the best motivation you can get when you want to exercise more effectively. If you are used to working out alone, this means making some necessary changes so you can accommodate having a workout partner. While at it, be sure to get a partner who shares similar goals to yours. Apart from mutually psyching each other up, your workout partner can also help you keep track of your progress and stay accountable for your fitness life.
They say that change is as good as rest. When it comes to exercise, however, some changes are as good as achieving your health and fitness goals. With the above few points in mind, you know a few things you can do to make your exercises more effective.
